Top 7 Signs Your Property Needs a Consumer Unit Upgrade

Your consumer unit controls and distributes electricity throughout your property. It protects you from overloads, short circuits, and electrical fires.

If your unit is outdated or faulty, your entire system is at risk.

Here are seven clear signs you should not ignore.

1. Your Fuse Box Has Rewireable Fuses

If your property still uses old style rewireable fuses, your system is outdated.

Modern consumer units use MCBs and RCD protection. These devices automatically shut off power when they detect faults.

Old fuse boards:

• Do not provide adequate fault protection
• Increase fire risk
• Fail modern safety standards

If your unit looks old or uses fuse wire, book an inspection immediately.

2. Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping

Circuit breakers trip for a reason. Occasional tripping can happen. Frequent tripping signals a deeper issue.

Common causes include:

• Overloaded circuits
• Faulty appliances
• Deteriorating wiring
• Weak breakers

If your breaker trips repeatedly, your consumer unit may no longer handle current load demands.

Modern households use more electrical devices than properties did twenty years ago. Your old unit may not support today’s usage.

3. Burning Smell or Heat Around the Fuse Box

This is a serious warning sign.

If you notice:

• A burning odour
• Scorch marks
• A warm or hot panel
• Buzzing sounds

Call a qualified electrician immediately.

Heat inside a consumer unit indicates loose connections or internal faults. These conditions can cause electrical fires.

Do not delay action.

4. No RCD Protection

RCD, Residual Current Device, protection is essential for modern electrical safety.

An RCD detects imbalance in current flow and shuts off power instantly. This reduces the risk of electric shock and fire.

If your consumer unit does not have RCD protection, your property does not meet current safety expectations.

Landlords in the UK must meet strict safety standards. An outdated board can result in compliance issues during EICR inspections.

5. Your Property Is Over 25 Years Old

If your consumer unit is over two decades old, it likely does not meet current wiring regulations.

Electrical regulations evolve to improve safety. Older boards lack:

• Surge protection
• Proper circuit separation
• Modern breaker technology

Even if it appears functional, internal wear may compromise safety.

An inspection will confirm whether replacement is necessary.

6. You Are Renovating or Extending Your Property

Adding new circuits increases electrical demand.

If you are:

• Installing a new kitchen
• Adding an extension
• Converting a loft
• Installing EV chargers
• Upgrading commercial equipment

Your current consumer unit may not have capacity.

Upgrading during renovation is cost effective. It ensures your new installations operate safely and efficiently.

7. You Failed an EICR Inspection

If your Electrical Installation Condition Report identifies issues with the consumer unit, you must act.

Common EICR observations include:

• Inadequate RCD protection
• Overheating components
• Incorrect labelling
• Poor circuit separation

An unsatisfactory report can impact landlords and businesses.

Upgrading the unit often resolves multiple compliance issues at once.

Why Consumer Unit Upgrades Matter in Manchester

Manchester properties include older terraces, converted buildings, and commercial units with evolving load demands.

Increased device usage and business equipment place more pressure on electrical systems.

A modern consumer unit provides:

• Better fault detection
• Improved fire protection
• Greater load capacity
• Compliance with current UK standards

Electrical faults remain one of the leading causes of property fires in the UK. Upgrading reduces that risk.

Cost Versus Risk

Some property owners delay upgrades due to cost concerns. This decision increases long term expense.

An outdated unit can lead to:

• Appliance damage
• Fire damage
• Insurance disputes
• Legal liability for landlords

Upgrading is an investment in safety and compliance.

How to Confirm If You Need an Upgrade

Do not guess. Book a professional inspection.

A qualified electrician will assess:

• Age of the unit
• Condition of breakers
• Presence of RCD protection
• Load demand
• Compliance with current regulations

If you are in Manchester or Greater Manchester, review professional services at meaelectricalservices.co.uk/services/

For inspection bookings, email [email protected] or call 07940268526.

When Should You Act

Act immediately if you notice heat, smell, or visible damage.

If your unit is simply old, schedule an inspection before issues escalate.

Electrical safety protects your home, tenants, staff, and assets.

Do not wait for failure. Upgrade before it becomes urgent.